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Free Shipping for the Holidays

July 25, 2014

If you sell online, know that to attract holiday shoppers this year, you’ll have to offer free shipping in some shape or form. Last year, 96 percent of Cyber Monday shoppers cited free shipping as a factor in their purchases. And FreeShipping.org reports that shoppers spend an average of 30 percent more when free shipping is available.

Here are some tips to make free shipping work for your business:

1.Offer a variety of shipping options:

Free shipping in exchange for a longer delivery period, or faster delivery for a fee

Buy online and pick up the item in-store

Buy online and return items in-store

Shipment tracking

2. Minimum purchase for free shipping:

Most big retailers set a price minimum for free shipping. Anywhere from $50 to 100 is the norm. Make suggestions for items to get the shopping cart total to the free shipping amount.

3. Make free shipping obvious:

Don’t hide the fact you offer free shipping until shoppers are ready to buy. If you have a brick and mortar store, advertise free shipping in your store. Post information about free shipping in all your social media channels.

4. Global shipping:

If you sell internationally, that doesn’t mean you can’t offer free or at least low-cost shipping. Sign up with a fulfillment center like Shipwire, Amazon and Innotrac to get products to your customers all over the world.